Big stars are on their way to the States for Guinness International Champions Cup

Real Madrid side one of eight teams participating in the first .Guinness International Champions Cup in America tournament with Robbie Keane’s LA Galaxy also on the roster.
Photo by: Guinness

New Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti wants to get to really know Ronaldo and his star studded squad at the Guinness International Champions Cup in America – as he prepares another bid for Tottenham’s Gareth Bale.

Ancelotti’s Madrid side are one of eight teams participating in the first Guinness tournament with Robbie Keane’s LA Galaxy also on the roster.

Madrid and Ancelotti will face the Galaxy in Phoenix on Thursday before facing either England’s Everton or Italy’s Juventus as part of a doubleheader on August 3rd at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

The newly installed Ancelotti said: “The first two weeks is to improve physical condition and then you need to play games.

“The expectations of the tournament, we have the expectations that everyone thinks. We need to have some important matches, to improve our condition physically and our play.

“It is very good for us to play in the U.S. These are important matches. We’re excited to play against strong teams, so it’s very important to play these kind of games. We have to play our season and we have to be ready.”

The Italian added: “It’s a benefit for us. We want to improve our condition, so it’s important to play important games against strong teams. The second thing is to improve our brand, show good football. There are a lot of good things that are the reasons we go to the USA to play.”

The Galaxy are the only U.S. club in the eight-team Guinness sponsored competition which also features AC Milan, Chelsea, Valencia and Inter Milan.

Real boss Ancelotti said: “The Galaxy is a good team. I have seen them, they have experience. They had Beckham, they lost something there, but they continue to be a good team.

“The football in the USA has improved a lot. To play in the USA is a fantastic experience for all these players.”

Real have only two days between their first two games and could play three in a maximum of a week so Ancelotti will use nearly his entire roster.

He said: “Of course you have to take into consideration, two games are very close. There are 24 players that can play, you don’t have to choose two different teams, but to use one player to play in two games could be dangerous.

“It’s not strenuous, we’re used to this. It is a good plan for us to play this kind of game against LA and against European teams. The plan is good for us.”